Warning to parents about new 'Tinder for Teens' app

A new app called "Yellow" is targeted to teenagers and works a lot like the popular dating app "Tinder."

Yellow connects users in the same area. You can swipe right or left to accept or decline to talk to other people based on their looks.

There is a big difference between the two apps, though.

Yellow is being advertised as a way for kids 12 and up to make new friends whereas Tinder is used for singles looking for dates.

Sally Senitz is the executive director at Wings of Shelter, an organization that intervenes in human trafficking in Southwest Florida and around the world. She's concerned about the young age group the app is targeting.

"It's very cute; it's very upbeat; it's very childlike, so it gives the feeling to the parent like this is safe. This is OK for my child; they're gonna have a great time on the Yellow app," Senitz said.

But experts say kids are using the app to send messages and pictures to strangers, leaving them vulnerable to predators.

"On the internet, they will pose as another child. They will pose as if they are eight, 10, 15 years old, and he will chat back-and-forth and win the trust of that child, and they will find a way to set up a meeting with a child outside of the parents home."

The teenagers that spoke with ABC7 said they've never heard of "Yellow," but the idea of a Tinder for teens is terrifying to parents.

"It's horrifying because sex trafficking is very predominant down here and that would make it very easy for them to attract teenagers, in particular. We don't have the maturity to not go on that site," said parent Suzanne Rogers.

A local cyber security expert said the best thing parents can do to keep their kids safe is monitor their online activity.